Contemporary Craft exhibition explores plight of global women refugees

Contemporary Craft is planning an exhibition focusing on women and girls affected by the global refugee crisis.

“Searching for Home,” a solo exhibition by Seattle-based, Pakistan-born artist Humaira Abid, will open April 9 and run through Aug. 21 in the gallery at 5645 Butler St. in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood.

“This powerful exhibition presents a human-scaled look at the worldwide refugee crisis, focusing on women and girls, who make up a disproportionate percentage of the millions of people who have fled their home countries as a result of political conflict and strife, ethnic cleansing and persecution, domestic abuse, climate change and crimes against humanity,” according to a release.

Abid created the artworks in the exhibition after months of research and interviews with refugee women who have been resettled in both the Pacific Northwest and Pakistan from nations including Somalia, Syria and Afghanistan.

“Her artworks are timely, relevant and thought-provoking,” said Janet McCall, Contemporary Craft executive director. “We are grateful to add her potent voice to important and compelling conversations within the greater Pittsburgh community.”

Abid’s work employs traditional Mughal miniature painting and sculpture in wood. Her decision to specialize in the male-dominated field of wood sculpture reflects commitment to challenging stereotypes, the gallery says. The life-size carvings of everyday objects share stories of the violence, cruelty, upheaval and instability in society, especially that to which women are subject.

“Contemporary Craft is committed to presenting exhibitions that respond to contemporary life, with a special focus on issues of social justice,” McCall said. “We believe art builds community and promotes healing through socially engaged art experiences such as Humaira Abid’s ‘Searching for Home’ exhibition.”

An interactive piece will invite viewers to participate in storytelling and the sharing of personal narratives.

“I like to start conversations,” Abid has said. “I like people when they open up and share their stories because I believe when you share your story, it encourages another person to share their story and encourages them to open up.”

The artist will attend opening receptions from 5:30-8 p.m. April 9 and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. April 10. Abid will discuss the research and interviews she conducted with refugee women that inspired her artworks. Limited appointments are available on opening weekend by timed ticketing; early reservations are suggested and can be made on the gallery website.

The gallery notes that “Searching for Home” contains sensitive material; interpretive resources will be available and a complimentary publication will be available for purchase.

The exhibition was curated by Jennifer-Navva Milliken and organized by the Center for Art in Wood in Philadelphia, in partnership with the Bellevue Arts Museum in Bellevue, Wash.

Contemporary Craft is open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Admission is free but timed tickets from EventBrite are required. The gallery adheres to covid restrictions, including social distancing, masks and limited number of visitors.

Details: contemporarycraft.org